Consumer Law Flashcards
a waiver is void unless…
- in writing
- signed
- consumer not in disparate bargaining position and represented by an attorney
proper party plaintiff for DTPA claim
consumer: individual, partnership, corporation who seeks or acquires by purchase or lease, any good or services
consumer
entity who seeks or acquires by purchase or lease goods or services
application of DTPA
liberally construed to protect consumers and generally may not be waived
seek
any purchaser or anyone with good faith intention to purchase is consumer… no requirement that a transaction be consummated
acquire
any purchaser acquires as does any intended ben
intended v. incidental bens
- incidental does NOT acquire
purchase or lease
to be a consumer under DTPA entity must do more than merely seek or acquire goods or services… they must be sought or acquired by purchase or lease
truly free services
NOT subject to DTPA
goods
includes real estate BUT excludes money or intangibles
services
includes services BUT excludes pure loans
loans in DTPA
merely lending money is NOT subject to DTPA BUT if from the consumer’s perspective the loan is an essential part of the transaction, it is subject to the act
business consumer exemption
assets of $25m or +, or one that is owned or controlled by a corp with assets of $25m or + is NOT a consumer for purposes of the DTPA
- a ∆ has the burden to prove the business consumer exception as an affirmative defense
professional services exemption
nothing in DTPA shall apply to a claim for damages based on the rendering of professional service, the essence of which is the providing of advice, judgment, or opinion
exceptions to the professional services exemption
- express misrepresentation of a material fact that cannot be characterized as advice or opinion
- failure to disclose information
- unconscionable action or course of action
- breach of express warranty
personal injury claims
all damages arising out of PI claims are recoverable under 17.50h for a violation of a tie-in statute as actual damages
large transactions - written Ks
DTPA does NOT apply to claim arising out of a written and signed K if the K relates to a transaction involving consideration by the consumer of more than $100k and consumer is represented by attorney
transactions over $500k
does not require written K, just needs to be over $500k and DTPA will not apply
in connection with requirement (remote parties)
remote parties are ∆s that are not immediate parties (most cases this is the manufacturer)
claims under DTPA
- use or employment by any person of a false, misleading, or deceptive act that is on the laundry list AND relied on by the consumer to the consumer’s detriment
- breach of an express or implied warranty
- unconscionable action by any person OR
- use or employment by any person of an act in violation of Chapter 541 Insurance Code
cumulative claims under DTPA
may have multiple claims but only a single recovery of damages